THAILAND – As an indication of recovery in the Thai manufacturing industry, Sony has announced plans to invest in a new smartphone factory with a start-to-finish production system covering chip mounting through assembly, in Thailand.

JAPAN – Lawson Inc and Japanese convenience store franchisee operator Three F Co Ltd are discussing the possibility of a capital and business alliance that will help boost their convenience store operations in the highly competitive Japanese retail landscape.

MALAYSIA - Nestlé has invested approximately US$88.47 million (RM 378 million) in a new beverages factory and noodle line in Malaysia. Both facilities are located in Nestlé’s largest manufacturing site in the country, in the city of Shah Alam, which employs close to half of Nestlé Malaysia’s workforce.